On the occasion of Shri Krishna janmashtmi 2017 Mathura and Virndavan temples boycott Chinese decorations amid the continuing stand-off between Indian and Chinese military at the Indo-Bhutan-China tri-junction in Doklam and excessive military posturing by both sides, mahants in Mathura and Vrindavan have decided to boycott Chinese lights and decorations for the festival of Janmashtmi. Secretary of Shri Krishna Janmasthan Sewa Samsthan, Kapil Sharma told the media that the temple committee wants to use products made in India for the celebrations, including earthen diyas and idols.

The secretary also urged the public to boycott Chinese goods and the government to ban the import of goods from China, amidst growing anti-China sentiment in the country. China has gone as far as threaten war if the Indian soldiers camped in Doklam do not pull back, but India has refused to back down so far. The call for boycott gathered steam after the secretary’s announcement, and by the end of the day, all major shrines in the temple town had decided to enforce the boycott. Public Relation Officer of Dwarkadheesh temple, Rakesh Tewari, went on record to say that the contractors had been instructed not to use Chinese goods for decorations or lighting as he felt that hurting China financially this way would make them heed India’s demands. He also asked the public to buy only Indian rakhis for Lord Krishna during Janmashtmi.

Janmashtmi, celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is one of the most popular festivals in North India, and the most celebrated day of the year in the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan. Janmashtmi will be celebrated on August 18 this year.